Comorbid Conditions in Newborn Operated Due to Open Spinal Dysraphism and Retrospective Evaluation of Relation Between These Situations with Folic Acid Usage During the Pregnancy

Abstract

Aim: In the present study, we aimed to analyze comorbid conditions associated with operated myelomeningocele and their relationship with folic acid usage during pregnancy. Material and Method: Eighty-one newborns who were operated on due to myelomeningocele were included in this study. The patient's files were retrospectively reviewed, and the data of the patients were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups: folic acid users and non-folic acid users during pregnancy. The two groups were compared in terms of weight, height, hemogram, biochemistry, time of diagnosis, delivery method, maturity, localization, type (meningocel or myelomeningocel), neurological deficit, scoliosis, hydrocephalus, timing of surgery, ventriculomegaly, treatment method, additional pathology, tethered cord syndrome, dermal sinus, maternal disease, and number of malformations such as cerebrospinal fluid fistula. Results: The rate of folic acid usage during the antenatal period was 44.4%. Myelomeningocele was located in lumbar (40.7%) and sacral (46.9%) regions. The rate of operation with early diagnosis newborn (1<week) was high (60.5%). There was no significant relationship between the timing of surgery and complications. Hydrocephalus (55.0%), ventriculomegaly (61.7%), scoliosis (34.6%), cerebrospinal fluid fistula (4.9%), and dermal sinus (46.9%) accompanied anomalies. Comparing the folic acid group with the non-folic acid group, it was revealed that the rates of cesarean delivery (75% ; p=0.017), meningomyelocele (80% ; p<0.01), paraparesis (39.5% ; p=0.006), paraplegia (16% ; p=0.006), and dermal sinus (53.1% ; p=0.022) were significantly higher in the non-folic acid group, whereas the mean birth weight was significantly lower (p=0.04) in the non-folic acid group. Conclusion: In our study, folic acid usage during pregnancy results in higher birth weight, higher number of normal births, and lower rates of myelomeningocele, paraplegia, and paraparesis but a higher rate of dermal sinus in newborn who have been operated for meningocele or myelomeningocele. Therefore, we recommend folic acid usage during pregnancy.